Simply: More fat means less life

William Atkins
Wednesday, 18 March 2009 18:19

Science - Health

Dr. Peter Weissberg (British Hearth Foundation), whose group supported the research, stated, "This is the latest and most convincing demonstration of the close relationship between being overweight and poor heart health, and confirms that smoking is harmful regardless of your weight.” [BBC News: “Obesity danger 'rivals smoking'”]

Weissberg adds, "We all have a role to play in maintaining a healthy weight ourselves, but this study emphasises the importance of public health measures, such as the recently launched Change 4 Life campaign, as part of a raft of Government initiatives that will be needed to reduce the nation's weight."

They concluded, “Although other anthropometric measures (eg, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio) could well add extra information to BMI, and BMI to them, BMI is in itself a strong predictor of overall mortality both above and below the apparent optimum of about 22.5—25 kg/m².”

And, “The progressive excess mortality above this range is due mainly to vascular disease and is probably largely causal. At 30—35 kg/m², median survival is reduced by 2—4 years; at 40—45 kg/m², it is reduced by 8—10 years (which is comparable with the effects of smoking). The definite excess mortality below 22.5 kg/m² is due mainly to smoking-related diseases, and is not fully explained.”

This study continues the vast numbers of studies that show the relationship of being overweight and the added risk for poor health and mortality (death). Conditions such as high blood pressure, back and joint problems, and diabetes are increased when one is overweight or obese.

And, again, the risk of smoking was addressed here, and found again to be a major contributor to poor health and premature death.

In other words, eat less food, cut down on fat in foods, exercise more, and stop smoking tobacco.

Sara Hiom (Cancer Research U.K.) states in the BBC News article, “We can eat less and move more to reduce weight. But smoking remains the single most significant cause of cancer death - and stopping smoking works."

For more information on weight and health, please go to the common-sense article on how to reduce your weight and improve your health. It is called “Getting to your healthy weight: The bottom line,” by the Harvard University School of Public Health.